France overlook Vieira

France will be without captain Patrick Vieira for their World Cup play-off against Ireland on Nov. 14 and 18. Midfielder Vieira, who has won 107 caps but is struggling, at 33, to recapture his best form and rarely starts for Inter, was not on the...

France will be without captain Patrick Vieira for their World Cup play-off against Ireland on Nov. 14 and 18.

Midfielder Vieira, who has won 107 caps but is struggling, at 33, to recapture his best form and rarely starts for Inter, was not on the 24-man list named yesterday by Raymond Domenech.

The France coach picked two uncapped players in Bordeaux goalkeeper Cedric and Olympique Lyon defender Aly Cissokho.

Domenech will also have to make do without Franck Ribery, sidelined with a niggling knee injury, but still has plenty of talent in his squad with the likes of playmaker Yoann Gourcuff and forwards Thierry Henry and Karim Benzema.

France visit Ireland on Nov. 14 at Croke Park before welcoming them to the Stade de France four days later.

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